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Blooming Love
Ana Kalaw’s family was bestowed with plant magic, long before she was born. And it is in Esquina, in Batangas where it’s strongest. Makes sense that she moved here after the pandemic, and found her new home.
But her magic’s been going haywire in the weirdest way, throwing old mangoes at SUVs and sending a boy sleeping under the banaba trees. The same boy Ana seriously crushed on when she was younger, almost like she called him to her.
Bas Lozano has no memory of falling asleep under the banaba trees of Esquina, but he does remember Ana. And while he’s fascinated by the locked up greenhouse behind the house, he’s more intrigued by her, hoping to get closer to her.
Ana doesn’t have a spell book for any of this. She’s not even sure one exists. But she’s happy to follow along, and go where the magic wants to take her.
This is a cozy witch romance novella set in the Philippines, with Filipino characters.
But her magic’s been going haywire in the weirdest way, throwing old mangoes at SUVs and sending a boy sleeping under the banaba trees. The same boy Ana seriously crushed on when she was younger, almost like she called him to her.
Bas Lozano has no memory of falling asleep under the banaba trees of Esquina, but he does remember Ana. And while he’s fascinated by the locked up greenhouse behind the house, he’s more intrigued by her, hoping to get closer to her.
Ana doesn’t have a spell book for any of this. She’s not even sure one exists. But she’s happy to follow along, and go where the magic wants to take her.
This is a cozy witch romance novella set in the Philippines, with Filipino characters.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2025
About the author
Carla de Guzman
27 books178 followersAuthor, occasional illustrator, full-time traveler.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 2, 2026
4.25⭐️
Ana Kalaw lives in Esquina, their ancestral home nestled in the hills of Mt. Malepunyo. She moved there for her “One Big Change” at the onset of the pandemic. She redecorated the house and established roots and friends, and of course, her plant magic. Her settled life was flustered one day when she discovered her college crush, then campus sweetie Bas Lorenzo, asleep beneath the banaba tree. Since then, the constant connection between Ana and Bas proved no longer coincidental.
I love this book!💕 I have read and loved books by Ms. Carla de Guzman but this one has a charm of its own. I put so much tabs and highlighted lines that I resonated so much, such as on making positive changes, carving out your own space, and romanticizing life. I love the thought of plant magic, and can visualize how different plants responded to Ana, some obedient, while some are mischievous. I can imagine how the flowers bloom, as if they can feel the burgeoning love between Ana and Bas.
What more, this book is set in Batangas, specifically in my hometown, Santo Tomas. This is the first book that I have read that is set close to home.🥰 I can imagine Esquina, the ancestral home of the Kalaws, nestled in the farthest barrio of our town—which is near the boundary of Santo Tomas and Lipa City. It really seems like a mystical place in real life. I love the thought of magical intervention from Mt. Malepunyo, of invisible threads being pulled, as a magical force either interferes, or serves as “wire” communication between Ana and the Kalaws.
This love story between a plant witch and an ordinary guy is a very refreshing read, and one that tickles the senses.☺️ I recommend it to lovers of Charmed and Practical Magic.😍
Ana Kalaw lives in Esquina, their ancestral home nestled in the hills of Mt. Malepunyo. She moved there for her “One Big Change” at the onset of the pandemic. She redecorated the house and established roots and friends, and of course, her plant magic. Her settled life was flustered one day when she discovered her college crush, then campus sweetie Bas Lorenzo, asleep beneath the banaba tree. Since then, the constant connection between Ana and Bas proved no longer coincidental.
I love this book!💕 I have read and loved books by Ms. Carla de Guzman but this one has a charm of its own. I put so much tabs and highlighted lines that I resonated so much, such as on making positive changes, carving out your own space, and romanticizing life. I love the thought of plant magic, and can visualize how different plants responded to Ana, some obedient, while some are mischievous. I can imagine how the flowers bloom, as if they can feel the burgeoning love between Ana and Bas.
What more, this book is set in Batangas, specifically in my hometown, Santo Tomas. This is the first book that I have read that is set close to home.🥰 I can imagine Esquina, the ancestral home of the Kalaws, nestled in the farthest barrio of our town—which is near the boundary of Santo Tomas and Lipa City. It really seems like a mystical place in real life. I love the thought of magical intervention from Mt. Malepunyo, of invisible threads being pulled, as a magical force either interferes, or serves as “wire” communication between Ana and the Kalaws.
This love story between a plant witch and an ordinary guy is a very refreshing read, and one that tickles the senses.☺️ I recommend it to lovers of Charmed and Practical Magic.😍
November 12, 2024
this was written gorgeously- the settings were stunning & i loved the integration of culture into the magic and magical systems but i just felt it was a bit flat with storyline/ plot and character development
April 28, 2026
4.5 stars. This is a cute, super quick read. As a Batangueña, I really enjoyed that the book takes place in Batangas and references places I know. I just wish it was longer. I’d have liked more time to experience the characters reconnecting, more flirting and banter, before they get together. I appreciated the inclusion of the lore of how their family acquired magic.
October 27, 2025
This one is a breath of fresh air that is light and uniquely Filipino.
Carla has a knack with words that is very easy to read, relate to and get lost in. The fact that she also incorporates recent events in the country (politics, education, pop culture, etc), or every day struggle of Filipinos (traffic, and adds a touch of magic to it makes this story interesting.
Blooming Love gives Encanto x Practical Magic vibes especially with the famiily dynamics. I would love to see this as an animated or live action movie with all the details that the author wonderfully showed with her words.
What I love about this:
- plantita/baker tita and a swoon-worthy/biker tito who is so confident, nagsusuot siya ng shirt na mukhang kumot ni Lola sa probinsiya hahahaha
- family dynamics between Han and Ana, the siblings and their Lolo Tem who kind of meddles a lot but he means well hehe
- Ana being happy in her solitude AND her figure despite being on the receiving end of snide comments regarding her weight
- the beauty and peace of living in the province!!!
- AT YUNG KILIG KO KINA #BasAna 👀, di matapos-tapos, ano ba hahaha. As in if you're looking for a kick-your-feet-in-the-air giddy story, this is it hahaha
I'm looking forward to read more about the new coven and the people they help. And I wonder if we'll have Han's story... I'm getting this 'feels' between him and Sam hahahaha
Carla has a knack with words that is very easy to read, relate to and get lost in. The fact that she also incorporates recent events in the country (politics, education, pop culture, etc), or every day struggle of Filipinos (traffic, and adds a touch of magic to it makes this story interesting.
Blooming Love gives Encanto x Practical Magic vibes especially with the famiily dynamics. I would love to see this as an animated or live action movie with all the details that the author wonderfully showed with her words.
What I love about this:
- plantita/baker tita and a swoon-worthy/biker tito who is so confident, nagsusuot siya ng shirt na mukhang kumot ni Lola sa probinsiya hahahaha
- family dynamics between Han and Ana, the siblings and their Lolo Tem who kind of meddles a lot but he means well hehe
- Ana being happy in her solitude AND her figure despite being on the receiving end of snide comments regarding her weight
- the beauty and peace of living in the province!!!
- AT YUNG KILIG KO KINA #BasAna 👀, di matapos-tapos, ano ba hahaha. As in if you're looking for a kick-your-feet-in-the-air giddy story, this is it hahaha
I'm looking forward to read more about the new coven and the people they help. And I wonder if we'll have Han's story... I'm getting this 'feels' between him and Sam hahahaha
January 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐
I loved the personalities and magic of the plants and life weaved throughout the novella. The romance plotline felt a bit rushed though, where I found myself asking, "Wait, how did we already get here??"
***quotes***
"To bike was resistance, insistence that there was a place for them in the every day commute, as there should be." (80)
I loved the personalities and magic of the plants and life weaved throughout the novella. The romance plotline felt a bit rushed though, where I found myself asking, "Wait, how did we already get here??"
***quotes***
"To bike was resistance, insistence that there was a place for them in the every day commute, as there should be." (80)
September 27, 2025
it was okay. cute, cozy, and witchy. i love how she navigates her way on her witch and girly struggles but the storyline felt really flat towards the end involving the mmc. good read but not really that memorable
November 22, 2023
Loved every bit of it!!
December 23, 2023
Finally a cute cozy witch romance set in the Philippines! I am here for it 🩷
January 9, 2024
Sweet, fluffy witchy novella set in the Philippines. Delightful; short on plot but heavy on coziness.
June 6, 2024
Cozy, cute, kilig!!!! This is a sweet low-stakes novella about a plant witch and her matchmaker plants. It's about time I read a cozy romance featuring Filipino mysticism. I want more!
May 14, 2026
Filipino cottagecore + magic + romance + plants. This novella bloomed right for me.
Blooming Love follows Ana Kalaw, a plant-loving and baking enthusiast who wants to live a quiet life—until her magic gone wild and a certain someone start shaking up her peaceful routine.
This cute and enchanting novella by @carlakdeguzman is so Filipino-coded with all the myths, legends, and whimsical vibes woven into the story. Esquina is the Kalaw's old ancestral house with a greenhouse at the back that never overheats.. magical, right? I’m not a plantita, but I had so much fun with all the plants in this book. They help Ana out… though some of them can get a little playful too. The setting just felt so dreamy and cozy. And this book also features strong Filipino family ties.
But what I really liked most was Ana’s character. I totally get being so happy doing your own thing—taking care of plants, baking, enjoying your own company. Sometimes that comfort zone feels too good to leave. But this story softly reminds us that letting people in can bring new kinds of happiness too.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews